This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Chevrolet Impala airbags problems
critical 35 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
35
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
25crashes
1fire
29injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 35 airbags complaints filed for the 2007 Chevrolet Impala, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 35 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BUICK/CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC: AIRBAG LIGHT ON, DTC B0071 AND B0081 SET (DIAGNOSE AND REPLACE RIGHT FRONT SEATBELT BUCKLE, IF NECESSARY). UPON INVESTIGATION, THE TECHNICIAN MAY FIND DTC B0071 SET IN THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) AND A DTC B0081 IN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTICS MODULE (SDM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant issue across these 35 complaints is airbag non-deployment during crashes severe enough to cause serious injury. Owners describe impacts ranging from 20 to 75 mph—rollovers, multi-rotations, frontal T-bones, side hits, crashes into barriers and medians—where airbags never deployed. Injuries include broken ribs, head trauma, permanent neck and back damage, and in at least one case, fatality. Owners also report the manufacturer offering no remedy; in one instance, GM claimed the airbag "acted properly by not deploying" without explanation, and in another, declined to examine the vehicle after a fatal crash.
A secondary pattern involves airbag system warning lights: Service Airbag lights staying on despite dealer service, check-airbag warnings that persist, and SRS lights illuminating without diagnosis. One owner noted that replacement parts were unavailable even though the vehicle was part of NHTSA Campaign 14V355000 (Electrical System).
A third set of failures involves component installation defects: passenger airbags missing entirely from new vehicles, wrong airbag types installed post-accident, and in one case, a weight-sensing passenger sensor that could not be activated for occupants under roughly 100 lbs. Chevrolet acknowledged the design limitation but offered no fix.
Same Chevrolet Impala airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag failed to deploy in frontal/side-impact crashes
Multiple owners report airbags not deploying during crashes involving frontal impacts, side impacts, rollovers, or multi-directional collisions. Owners sustained serious injuries including broken ribs, head trauma, neck and back injuries, and in some cases life-threatening injuries that likely would have been mitigated by proper airbag deployment.
When: 9,999 to 260,000 miles; most incidents under 160,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags remain inactive during high-impact collisions; No deployment during rollover accidents; No deployment during frontal crashes at 20-70 mph; No deployment during side-impact collisions
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed in most cases; vehicles declared total loss. In one case (Narrative #15), pretensioner belts also failed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer declined assistance in some cases, claimed airbag 'acted properly by not deploying' without explanation, and offered no remedy despite notification.
Service Airbag warning light remains illuminated after dealer service
Service Airbag warning light comes on and persists or returns repeatedly even after authorized dealer service attempts. One owner reported the light continued to illuminate on two occasions after service was performed.
When: 17,700 miles at first occurrence; current mileage 28,544 when reported
Symptoms owners cite: Service Airbag warning light illuminates; Warning light appears on consistent basis; Light reappears after dealer service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed service but light continued to illuminate on two occasions after the repair.
SRS warning light illuminated
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light comes on without warning in at least one vehicle. No diagnosis or repair was performed.
When: 65,007 miles
Symptoms owners cite: SRS light illuminated without warning
Passenger airbag sensor fails to activate for small-statured occupants
Passenger airbag occupant-detection sensor does not function for occupants below a certain weight threshold. In one case, a 5'4" passenger weighing 92 lbs could not trigger the airbag system. Chevrolet service confirmed all sensors working to design but stated there was no fix for the unsafe condition.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag does not activate for low-weight occupants; Weight-sensitive sensor fails to trigger protection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet service department confirmed sensors working to design but stated 'there was no fix for this unsafe condition.' Chevrolet customer service offered no solution.
Passenger airbag not installed or wrong airbag type installed
In at least two cases, passenger airbag was either missing entirely from the vehicle or the wrong airbag type was installed post-accident. One owner found dashboard crack extended to passenger side airbag; another found wrong airbags installed and illuminating check-airbag warning light years after replacement.
When: One noted at 96,000 miles; another discovered after vehicle purchased used in 2007, airbags had been replaced in 2007
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag missing from vehicle; Wrong airbag model installed post-accident; Dashboard crack extending to airbag area
Repairs/costs cited: In one case, code reader indicated wrong airbags installed and need replacement. One vehicle had airbags replaced by GMC in 2007 under program/loaner after serious accident.
Check Airbag warning light remains on intermittently or continuously
Check Airbag warning light illuminates and remains on or comes on intermittently. Related to NHTSA Campaign 14V355000 (Electrical System) in some cases.
When: 116,000 miles in one fleet vehicle; other mileages not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Check Airbag warning light comes on and remains illuminated; Warning light comes on intermittently
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to NHTSA Campaign 14V355000 (Electrical System); one owner noted the part for repair was unavailable.
Seat belt latch failure concurrent with airbag warning light
In one case, front driver's, front, and back passenger side seat belts failed to latch to buckles, and passenger side airbag warning light remained illuminated. These safety systems failed together.
When: Mileage unavailable
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt buckles fail to latch; Passenger airbag warning light illuminated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of failure.
Synthesized from 35 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet impala. While driving approximately 50 MPH on an overpass, a truck swiped the side of the contact's vehicle. The vehicle stalled and the contact lost control. The vehicle crashed into a guardrail and rolled over five times. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained injuries to the left shoulder, bruised ribs, head…
Had airbags trouble with your 2007 Chevrolet Impala?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2007 Chevrolet Impala?
It's a serious issue. 35 complaints have been filed, including 25 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 50,000 and 152,891 miles, with the median around 102,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 152,891. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Chevrolet/Impala.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.